Miami Beach wants to set a mandatory minimum wage. A legal challenge is blocking that.

In an opinion filed Wednesday, the 3rd District Court of Appeals denied the city from setting a local minimum wage higher than the statewide minimum, a measure that sparked a legal challenge from statewide business groups.

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Wednesday’s ruling sets the stage for an expected appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.

City Attorney Raul Aguila said the city anticipated having to fight the case.

“We are disappointed with the decision today, but we have always known that the Florida Supreme Court would ultimately have to decide this case,” he said Wednesday. “We will immediately seek review in that Court, and we are optimistic that the justices will accept the case and rule in our favor.”

Originally intended to take effect Jan. 1, 2018, the suit puts that on hold.